Part I describe the evolution of equipment and techniques leading to the development of a "Quality Index of Traffic Flow". Four applications of the quality index were studied: At the conclusions of these studies it became possible to modify the original equipment: as a result the Drivometer and Traffic Events Recorder" was developed. Using this equipment, a mathematical interpretation of driver's responses to traffic events was developed, and three additional studies were delineated. Part II- considers research studies which to date have indicated that objective measurements of driver behaviour, vehicle motor, and highway environment obtained by the use of the Drivometer, are far more revealing than those obtained by subjective evaluations. Five areas have under gone initial study using the Drivometer: driver education on the road teaching techniques, single driver performance, effects of fatigue, driver performance rating, and driver classification studies. The results of this research have suggested other areas which may be able to benefit from the objective driver measurements afforded by the Drivometer.
Abstract